(Boating party) 1820 - 1849

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print, ink

print

asian-art

landscape

ukiyo-e

japan

figuration

personal sketchbook

ink

genre-painting

Dimensions 15 x 19 1/4 in. (38.1 x 48.9 cm) (image, sheet)

"Boating Party" was made by Nakamura Nagaharu, sometime in the early 19th century. The composition of this image draws us into a vibrant scene, where we see figures in a boat rendered with dynamic lines and colors. The use of the boat's diagonal axis creates a sense of movement, pulling our eyes across the page. The artist employs a limited palette, yet each color is carefully placed to enhance the overall harmony and visual appeal. Notice how the forms of the figures and objects are defined by outlines, typical of Ukiyo-e prints, which flattens the picture plane. This technique emphasizes surface and pattern over depth. The arrangement of elements such as the boat, figures, and text, work together to create a unified aesthetic experience. Each component has a unique function in articulating its narrative and cultural context, inviting us to consider the historical and artistic influences that shaped its creation. In this way, the artwork destabilizes established meanings through its unique arrangement of form.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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Boating excursions helped alleviate the heat of summer in pre-modern Japan. A red lacquered sake cup seen behind the man fishing from the bow suggests that there may be more revelers (not in the print) in the stern. Nagaharu, who lived and worked in Osaka, designed several surimono for Osaka-based poetry groups. The inscription in the upper right corner explains that the print was published after Nagaharu's death. Kagen, who may have been Nagaharu's friend or pupil, added the flowers on the riverbank to the original design.